
Mateo Melgarejo is a notary public and scribe for the illiterate people of Santo Domingo, a neighborhood north of Mexico City's Zócalo. A squatter friend asks for his help in negotiating with the land census bureau to regularize a land title. After a great deal of frustration with the government bureaucracy, he writes a letter to the cabinet minister, earning an audience with him. The minister hires Melgarejo to reform the bureau, and the appointee proceeds to lecture the officials on their duties in a democratic society. At the end, he gives up the post, returning to Santo Domingo to help its poor residents.
Mateo Melgarejo 'Mateíto'

Vicky

Barbara

Avelino Romero 'Romeritos'

Estrellita

María

Don Nachito

Don Antonio, señor ministro

Huésped de Yucatán

Tamarita
Julia Ramírez, secretaria del licenciado

Sr. Alcalino Buenrostro

Huésped de Nuevo León
Empleada de oficina

Burócrata

(uncredited)
Gordo (uncredited)
Lupita (uncredited)
Empleada oficina (uncredited)
Empleado oficina (uncredited)
Empleado oficina (uncredited)
Empleado departamento de quejas (uncredited)
Spindola Jr. (uncredited)

Cliente (uncredited)
Chonita, sirvienta (uncredited)

Burócrata (uncredited)
Mayordomo (uncredited)
(uncredited)

El Licenciado
